I DO NOT OWN SILENCE OR GAME OF THRONES. ALL EIGHTS BELONG TO MARTIN SCORSESE, JAY COCKS, SHŪSAKU ENDŌ, AND GEORGE R.R. MARTIN.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Mathew 28: 19-20
The evangelization of Westeros was the holy endeavor, started by three Jesuits in Portugal, the three of them came from different origins, nations, and experiences, but were united by the Lord in a holy mission… Turn the Seven kingdoms, into an unknown land, where magic and fantasy arise from the deepest corners of the world. So that all hearts may love Jesus!
But everything has a beginning, the holy mission started as all good stories started. With a vision…
Cathedral of Saint Mary Major, Lisbon, Portugal, July 23, 1639 A.C
Francisco Garupe entered his cell, the one assigned to him when he first came to the cathedral to continue his studies, it was a bare place with only a cot to sleep on and a desk with a few books and a dying candle, approaching the table, he lowered his head a with a careful blow he put out the candle to sleep.
Now after saying his final prayer and lying in the cot began to wander in his thoughts. The life of a Jesuit was not for the faint of heart by any means being a hard existence, without considering the war in the rest of the continent, the Catholic Reform, the unrest in the Iberian Peninsula, and in general the grim darkenest of his time, but to be sent on a mission to convert those who had not heard of the Christian faith and make all nations disciples. Garupe thought that he knew what to expect when he offered his life to the society of Jesus once he had reached his 18th year. He knew that life would be hard and that he would be expected to deny all pleasures of the flesh and live as an imitation of the Lord and Francisco had thrown himself into his calling. He worked hard, prayed harder, and consumed only as much food as he needed to live healthily. He slept only as much as he needed to function day by day, for sloth was a sin in itself, and tried to mediate between his Jesuit brothers.
However, his already limited sleep would be disturbed that night. As Garupe lay upon his cot, tiredness almost making him enter in a deep sleep a bright light filled his near-empty cell. The Jesuit was awakened from his slumber and shielded his eyes to keep from going blind. Had someone entered his room? Eventually, Francisco saw the shape of a man emerge from the light. As he got closer, Garupe saw that the man had hair as long as a woman's, his skin was tan as if baked golden brown in an oven, and his eyes shined like sapphires reflecting light. Garupe sat up on his cot, feeling much afraid.
"Who are you, stranger?" He asked carefully as the man gazed upon him, but feeling a certain familiarity with him.
"Who do you say that I am?" The man asked as Garupe took in the sight of said being more closely. The cell felt different, being the middle of summer the heat sometimes became unbearable which is why he slept without sheets but being in the presence of the man the heat decreased being in a perfect environment. Then his eyes gazed down to the man's hands where he saw crude holes in the man's wrists that went all the way through. In an instant, Garupe leaped from the bed and fell to his knees in reverence, he knew how he was.
"O Lord…my God…" Garupe muttered as he could hardly believe that he was looking upon the living Christ, much less speaking to him, sometimes he and Sebastiao discussed how the Lord was seen in life but seeing him was more glorious than what his mind could come with.
"Look upon me Francisco, as I look upon thee," Jesus spoke as the young priest raised his head still in adoration.
"Speak Lord…for thy servant hears," Garupe spoke as he locked eyes with those of the messiah, but still a feeling of unworthiness reared in his mind, they were worthier priests in the Cathedral for the Lord to appear, why he?
"Go to the land that I will show you and speak my name to all who will listen. Show them the love that I have shown you and make disciples of them." Jesus gently commanded, and with loving eyes, he waited for the answer of Francisco.
"What is this land, my Lord?" Francisco asked, trying and failing to fathom what the Lord was asking of him.
"The land of Westeros. The Seven kingdoms that live within it. From the far North to the sands of Dorne. They do not know me, but I know them and I have seen their suffering. I send you to minister to them and to save them." Jesus answered with a calm but solemn voice
"I am to go alone, Lord?" Garupe inquired with fear in his voice, hearing about a new, unknown land, such as the Far East, China, or Japan, and being the first to go there was a privilege and a challenge that he did not think he could do alone.
"It is not good for you to go alone, lest you fall and can not hoist yourself up. I have seen the growth of your friend Sebastiao and your Jesuit brother George.. Take them with you so that you may uphold each other and draw strength from one another." Christ insisted. Sebastiao Rodriques had joined the Jesuits at the same time as Garupe and they had both studied together to be priests, while George Steadham was new to the cathedral, an English priest from the University of Douay. Sebastiao was a brother to him and Garupe was thankful that he would have such a brother in Christ as his ally, but George was unknown to him but, his faith through persecution was as solid as a mountain, and he was a learned man.
"Shall we return from this Westeros?" The Jesuit priest asked, feeling fear for his fate as Jesus touched his cheek with immeasurable love before answering.
You will suffer temptations, toils, and snares. You shall also know love and glory and all people of that land shall praise God because of you." He assured Garupe as the priest could tell that he, Rodriques, and Steadham would die in Westeros. Whether from old age or martyrdom for the glory of God, he didn't know… But they would never return from this mission, then maybe his successors would one day be able to contact Christendom and the rest of the Universal Church.
"My Lord… I fear that I am not strong enough for this...you should send another; If father Ferreira was still with us… perhaps. There was none stronger than him." Garupe insisted as he remembered his former mentor Cristovao Ferreira, who had guided him and Rodrigues through the faith. He had apostatized under torture in Japan and it still felt like a knife plunged into Garupe's heart, and prayed for his soul every day.
"I want no other, I have chosen you Francisco...you are stronger than you believe," Christ replied tenderly with a simple but powerful smile that made him gain force, but still Garupe wanted to tell his fears to the Lord.
"But...I fear that if I am challenged in my faith...I may fail you." The priest explained, feeling guilt at his own fear and weakness. It was always easy to say that you would never falter when tested, but Garupe feared that if push came to shove, he might be weak in the face of persecution.
"I did not bear my cross alone… neither will you. You must not ask God for an easy life… but the strength to endure a difficult one. For it is easy to have faith in joy. It is when we are in sorrow that we find our true faith." Jesus reminded the priest as Garupe knew that if Jesus had faith in him, he must have faith in himself, and full of determination he bowed.
"Not my will, but yours be done," Francisco declared as he knew that he could not turn down this mission, no matter what the cost. Jesus Christ had given his life for the world. Garupe could do no less. Despite his fears, all Francisco could do was trust that he would be given the strength to do what had been asked of him.
"I know…" the Lord said with a smile before disappearing leaving Francisco Garupe alone with his thoughts.
The Next Day.
When he had awakened after sleeping and praying to the Lord for wisdom, Garupe all but demanded to see Father Alessandro Valignano, the priest above all in that cathedral and nephew of legendary superior of the missions of the Far East. He also requested that Father Rodriques and Father Steadham join them. When they had gathered in the Valignano's study, Garupe told his fellow priest about his vision of Jesus Christ. Sebastiao Rodriques had always wanted to be a hero of the faith like St. Peter and St. Paul before and his chance had finally come. After Garupe had finished his recollection of the previous night, Rodrigues looked at him with shock and pride. Steadham on the other hand had a solemn look while scratching his almost bald head, feeling the spiky hairs as a way of comfort, a habit he developed during that time but deep down he was determined to do what was asked of him, meanwhile, Valignano expressed only shock.
"You claim that our lord Jesus Christ…appeared to you?" The elder Father asked awkwardly, not every day one of his students claimed that the Lord had appeared to him and ordered him to go on a mission.
"Yes, and he has called me to preach the gospel to the people of Westeros. He asked for Sebastiao and George to act as my mission companions; Christ has requested them personally." Father Garupe insisted with his most serious voice and face if the mission was to be a success he needed them.
"There is no such place on any map." Father Valignano pointed out to the men, he didn't want them to die at the sea, although Rodrigues had experience with ships and he heard from second accounts that Steadham escaped England commanding a ship while being young.
"With all due respect Father, nothing was on the map until a sailor made it so. Perhaps, it is a country that has not yet been discovered? If our Lord says it exists, then it does." Father Rodrigues shot back. His heart was full of determination and pride that Jesus had called him by name for such a mission as this.
"You would go to a land that no one has ever heard of before by yourselves?" Their superior grilled intently, wanting them to
"Father Valignano…The Lord our God has given us the mission to evangelize these people. They are out there and we have the duty of bringing them the most precious thing we have to give them: the knowledge of God's infinite love." George finally spoke, after making up his mind he declared with great intent his decision to go into the mission as the old priest looked the younger of the three.
"And you, Rodrigues?" He asked the other priest.
"Our Lord spoke my name to Garupe, if he desires me to go, then I shall go," Sebastiao vowed as Alessandro heaved a sigh, and turned to his desk
"If our messiah has commanded this of you… then I would be damned if I defied you from doing his work. If this what your hearts desire in accordance to the will of the Almighty, then I must trust that the Lord has put it there," Valignano replied solemnly as he looked upon the three priests. "You have the order's blessing to make this voyage. You will spread our faith among the people of Westeros; an army of three,". ended Valignano and they started to discuss what they would need for the voyage.